Signs Presidential Delegation File Leaked via Outside Contractor; Another Document Found

[Anchor]

We bring you newly reported developments regarding the leak of personal information belonging to the presidential delegation, including President Lee Jae-myung and the First Lady. SBS has learned that government authorities have detected indications that the file containing personal information may have been leaked through an outside contractor tasked with security control services by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was also confirmed that other diplomatic documents were uploaded to the website where the delegation file was discovered.

Reporter Kang Min-u reports exclusively.

[Reporter]

The leaked personal information file on the presidential delegation is understood to have been prepared by the Office of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Previously, the government traced the file's transfer route under the assumption that an issue arose while it was being transmitted to the Belgian Foreign Ministry via the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Belgium and the European Union.

According to SBS reporting, the government has detected circumstances suggesting the file was leaked through an outside company responsible for security control operations, including the Foreign Ministry's internal network.

The ministry's Diplomatic Cyber Security Center contracts specialized firms to operate and monitor its security control systems and analyze malware. It is believed that the file in question may have been uploaded through this contractor to an overseas paid platform that inspects files for malware.

When asked by SBS for specific details on the circumstances, the company stated, "It is difficult to comment as the matter is currently under investigation."

Police earlier launched a formal investigation into the case on charges of violating the Personal Information Protection Act.

Meanwhile, records showing that another diplomatic document had been submitted to the malware-checking website where the presidential delegation file was found were confirmed today (November 4).

The file, uploaded eight months ago in March, is presumed to be a document requesting a bilateral meeting between South Korea and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Foreign Ministry is currently investigating the document's origin.

If it is ultimately confirmed that this personal information leak occurred through the cybersecurity control contractor, expanding the scope of the investigation will likely be unavoidable to assess potential additional leaks.

(Camera: Cho Chun-dong and Choi Dae-woong | Video Editing: Jang Hyun-ki | Design: Park Cheon-woong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.